I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
December 9, 2020
Today, a little lull in the excitement of new and thrilling give-aways, and instead, something quite and subtle … but fun!
You see, much of today’s give-away will be a mystery. Why? Because I’m either very busy, very lazy, unprepared, or some, or all, of the above. You choose!
I’ll tell you what it’s all about, and then I’ll announce the winners of Monday’s give-away from Inspirations Studios.
December 7, 2020
Happy Monday! And welcome to the fourth installment of A Stitcher’s Christmas, 2020!
It’s hard to believe we’re already into the second week of Advent, which means that Christmas is not too far away!
I think one of the best gifts we can ever receive at any time is the gift of inspiration – that stimulation to do something particularly creative, thoughtful, or even brilliant; that flash of an idea that’s perfectly timed, that’s profound or eye-opening. It’s somewhat difficult to nail down exactly what inspiration is, the way we use the term today, but I think I’d say it’s an awakening of the soul that moves us to do or think above our normal level of doing or thinking.
Keeping that in mind, I think that Inspirations Magazine is aptly named, because for embroiderers, it does just that. Don’t you reckon?
Anyway… enough profundity. Let’s get on with it!
Today, I’m going to introduce a fantastic give-away, courtesy of Inspirations Studio, that makes me a wee bit jealous that I can’t participate in this one! I’ll admit that there’s a little bit of twitterpation on my part going on here. And I think you’re going to love it, too!
At the end of today’s article, I’ll announce the winners of Friday’s give-away, too. So read on through!
December 4, 2020
Good morning, my friends, and welcome to A Stitcher’s Christmas, 2020, installment #3!
Today, it’s straight out of Italy – specifically, two beautiful gifts from the publishers of the embroidery magazine Giuliana Ricama, which is available in both an Italian and an English edition. I wrote about the magazine a while back, if you’d like to learn more about it.
I’m also going to announce the winner of installment #2 at the end of today’s article, so please venture on to the very end to see if you get to enjoy one of Di van Niekerk’s gifts this Christmas!
December 2, 2020
Good morning, and welcome to Installment #2 of this year’s Stitcher’s Christmas – a series of delectable needlework give-aways leading up to Christmas!
Today’s give-away includes a gorgeous kit, silk ribbon collection, and books, courtesy of the Queen of Silk Ribbon, Di van Niekerk! More details below…
I’ll also tell you the winners of Monday’s give-away, so make sure you read through to see if your name is on that list!
Also, I’m going to tighten up the give-away guidelines, so please read those carefully. Thanks!
November 30, 2020
Here on Needle ‘n Thread around Christmas time, we have a little Stitcher’s Christmas party – a series of fun embroidery-related give-aways featuring beautiful needlework goods offered by small businesses who are happy to assist in giving something back to the Needle ‘n Thread community.
So, for the next several weeks leading up to Christmas, you can expect a series of fabulous needlework give-aways! Threads, kits, books, tools – they’re all here, and who knows? They might end up in your stocking or under your tree!
There are a few guidelines for the give-aways – I’ll remind you of those at the end of each give-away.
To kick off this year’s Stitcher’s Christmas, courtesy of Colour Complements, it’s everybody’s favorite – Thread!
November 28, 2020
Good morning, my friends!
Today, I’m so excited to share a new kit with you and some other delectable Christmas stitching projects. All the projects released today are suitable for beginners and beyond – though the Mini Sampler Stockings include some finishing (which I made super easy for you!).
First, I’m going to tell you a little bit about the Mini Sampler Stocking supply kits and the separate downloadable instructional ebook that are now available! These are my Favorite project right now!
Once you see how versatile they are, how deceptively easy they are, how festive they are, and how quick they are to complete, I think you’ll understand why I like them. I’ve been playing with all kinds of combinations and approaches for stitching these, because … well, once you start, it’s kind of hard to quit!
November 26, 2020
Happy Thanksgiving!!
No matter where you are, there’s always a reason to celebrate Thanksgiving, so even if you’re not here in the US, I hope you have a very happy day full of many blessings!
I’m so grateful for our wonderful community we’ve built around Needle ‘n Thread! You are such a special part of my life, and I hope you know that! It’s been a rough year for so many of us, but I hope that you can find much to be thankful for and that you find some joy and contentment as the year comes to a close.
Last year, I started putting together these holiday eye-spy games, with a jigsaw puzzle to go with it. So, for your Thanksgiving treat, here’s this year’s Eye Spy. Read the ditty and see if you can find all the stuff! (Or just check for my mistakes!)
